It's just nuts how bottomless that well of obscure garage bands is. It seems like every kid who heard the Beatles and had access to a guitar had to give it a shot. Is there any wonder why there are so many collectors? It's because there's tons of garage bands, and a lot of the bands might have a discography that includes only one or two singles. Some of them were so young, they could have packed away their musical hopes before they even left home. But here we are, almost a half a century later, being treated to one overlooked short shelf life after another. Anyone who's ever put out a record will tell you that, no matter how good a record is, it will only sell if it gets heard. Recording that hot ass song is only part of it. Someone needs to promote that record and get it in the hands of radio people, concert promoters and the like. When your parents start their own label to put out your record, it's almost guaranteed that it won't get the exposure it could, because instead of hounding boss jocks, they're likely pushing them on their fellow PTA members or the guys at work. "Yeah, Sam, you have a teenager at home. How's about bringin' home one of my kid's records?"
That may seem like a bad thing, but ho-ly shit, think about that sub-genre for a second. Garage band records pressed by parents of the band.
"Son, even though the record execs aren't interested, me and your mother think you're fantastic. We'd like to put out a record by you and the boys, and watch it climb the charts." How ever well intended, it sounds like a recipe for disaster, or at least disappointment. Any way you look at it, the possibility of parental involvement in any rock 'n' roll endeavor being a hindrance is high. But then again, that guy that the father pushed the record on, the guy at work, took it home and gave it to his kids, It became a favorite of theirs, but their friends weren't interested because they hadn't heard it on the radio. The kids lose interest and it ends up bouncing around thrift stores for a few decades. Until it lands in the hands of someone who, thank a deity, recognizes it as one hot ass slice of something that must be shared. Behold S.J. and the Crossroads, as heard on Salmar Records, funded by Sal and Mary Serio, parents of two of the members. A short bio and two songs are at
I'm Shakin'. Be advised: their cover of Jessie Hill's "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" is a fucking riot. This is a long winded hell yeah endorsement. Go there, it's worth the trip.
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Listen:
S.J. and the Crossroads - Ooh Poo Pah Doo mp3 at I'm Shakin' Go there to get it.
Jessie Hill - Ooh Poo Pah Doo, Pt 1 mp3 at Junk Shop Juke Box
Jessie Hill - Ooh Poo Pah Doo, Pt 2 mp3 at Junk Shop Juke Box
S.J. and the Crossroads - Night Time mp3 at I'm Shakin' Go there to get it.
The Strangeloves - Night Time mp3 at Nevver
